Spiced Caramel-Apple Bread Pudding

Bread pudding evolved as a practical solution for salvaging day-old French bread that had become too hard for sandwiches. Italian bread is used here with Granny Smith apples and nutmeg, and served with a toasted pecan-caramel sauce.

Prepare the sauce: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant.

Sprinkle sugar in an even layer in a small saucepan. Stir together syrup and 1/3 cup water, and pour over sugar in saucepan. Cook, without stirring, over medium-high heat 12 to 14 minutes or until sugar is dissolved and mixture is golden.